Mumbai/Kolkata – The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have commenced their pre-season training for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), with a notable emphasis on domestic talent and a lingering question mark over the team’s captaincy.
The franchise has initiated a week-long training camp in Mumbai, focusing on crucial aspects such as physical conditioning, skill refinement, and team bonding. This early start underscores KKR’s commitment to building a strong foundation for the upcoming season.
Captaincy in Focus
One of the most talked-about aspects of KKR’s pre-season is the vacant captaincy. With the previous captain, Shreyas Iyer, now with the Punjab Kings, speculation is rife regarding who will lead the team in 2025.
Two prominent names have emerged as potential candidates:
- Venkatesh Iyer: His presence leading the domestic camp has fueled speculation that he is being groomed for the captaincy. His retention by KKR also shows the franchises faith in him.
- Ajinkya Rahane: The experienced batsman brings a wealth of leadership experience to the table, making him a strong contender.
The fact that Venkatesh Iyer is leading the domestic player camp has increased the amount of speculation that he will be the new KKR captain.
Pre-Season Preparations
The Mumbai camp, running from February 21-28, features key domestic players, including Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and emerging talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi. New additions Mayank Markande and Luvnith Sisodia are also participating.
Head coach Chandrakant Pandit, along with bowling coach Bharat Arun and spin bowling coach Carl Crowe, are overseeing the training sessions. The coaching staff is emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and building upon the team’s strengths.
“The players who are not currently involved in domestic cricket are available and have joined us for this short pre-season camp. This is a normal routine for us every season,” 1 said head coach Chandrakant Pandit. “We will also have a camp in Kolkata from March 12 onwards, where we will have the international players available post the ICC Champions Trophy. Our real preparation will start when the whole squad assembles, but this camp will help us get into a rhythm.”
